IN A sign of their close ties, Singapore and Indonesia will hold a leaders' retreat here in the next six months to review their bilateral partnership.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the decision at an official dinner he hosted last night for visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Istana.

Both leaders agreed on their upcoming retreat when they held talks at the Istana yesterday. Four years ago, they held a similar retreat in Bali to discuss bilateral and regional issues such as the fight against terrorism.

Ministers vow to stand together
They agree to reduce business costs in grouping by 25% in next six years
By Lee Seok Hwai

MINISTERS of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping ended their annual meetings yesterday in an upbeat mood, pledging to work together to sustain the economic recovery.

They also agreed to help each other to improve the business environment in the region, setting targets to improve the ease of doing business.

Summing up their two-day discussions, the ministers said they were heartened by the 'collegial' atmosphere that prevailed.

They're young, eager and ready to rock
20 kids will join others to perform at a grand show for Apec bigwigs
By Wong Kim Hoh, Senior Writer

FOR two months, they have had to take leave, reschedule meetings and put their lives on hold so that they could ferry their children to and from rehearsals.

It's been a pain, the parents conceded, but well worth it since their young ones are the 20 handpicked to sing in a choir at what would probably be the biggest gig of their young lives: Our World One World, a multimedia concert mounted for world leaders and other Apec bigwigs at the Singapore Evening tomorrow.

Never mind that at least one of these children - aged between six and 14 - thought Apec stood for Asia-Pacific Entertainment Company.

Japan seeks joint action against climate change
Opportunities abound for countries like Japan and S'pore: Hatoyama
By Kwan Weng Kin, Japan Correspondent

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama plans to urge the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders in Singapore this weekend to work together to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020.

It is 'a huge issue' that Apec economies have been charged with, he said yesterday to Tokyo-based Singapore media.

'But first we must cooperate to make Cop15 a success,' he said.

China offers help on strait security
Malacca Strait safety among possible areas of cooperation with S'pore
By Lin Zhaowei

CHINESE President Hu Jintao reiterated yesterday his country's long-held desire to help with the security of one of the world's most important waterways - the Strait of Malacca.

China would like to work with Singapore, which is one of the littoral states of the sea lane, to 'ensure the safety of the Strait of Malacca', he told Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during their meeting, Chinese delegation spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a media briefing.

The protection of the critical waterway was one of several security-related areas which China would like to cooperate with Singapore on, said Mr Ma.

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